Reconstruction of the water-oxidizing complex in manganese-depleted Photosystem II using synthetic manganese complexes

The efficiency of a trinuclear and two binuclear manganese complexes in reconstituting electron transport and O(2) evolution activity in Mn-depleted Photosystem II preparations is analyzed. The trinuclear Mn-complex is more efficient than two binuclear Mn-complexes in restoring oxygen evolution, but it is less effective as an electron donor than binuclear Mn-complexes. It is inferred from our results that recovery of electron transport and O(2) evolution with polynuclear Mn-complexes is affected with different factors. Moreover, the trinuclear Mn-complex is extremely sensitive to the addition of CaCl(2). It is suggested that there is an interaction between Ca(2+) and carboxyl within the trinuclear Mn-complex during photoactivation and this interaction benefits the ligation of Mn atom to the apo-WOC and form an active WOC. Binuclear Mn(III)Mn(III) complex shows slightly higher efficiency than binuclear Mn(III)Mn(IV) complex in restoration of O(2) evolution activity. The efficiency of three Mn-complexes in the reconstitution of WOC is in an order: trinuclear Mn(3)(III)>binuclear Mn(III)Mn(III)>binuclear Mn(III)Mn(IV).     

Preconcentration using diethylenetriaminetetraacetic acid-functionalized polysiloxane (DETAP) for determination of molybdenum(VI) in seawater by ICP–OES

This paper reports a new method for preconcentration and separation of trace amounts of molybdenum in seawater samples prior to determination by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES). Diethylenetriaminetetraacetic acid-functionalized polysiloxane (DETAP) was synthesized by carboxymethylation of amino groups on triamine immobilized polymer, which was prepared by modification of 3-chloropropylpolysiloxane with diethylenetriamine. The resulting polysiloxane is highly selective and efficient in chelating Mo(VI) at trace levels. It can be used as a column packing material. The polysiloxane column can be reused over ten times without losing its original properties, so it is suitable for preconcentration of molybdenum species in seawater samples before determination. The parameters governing the characteristics of polysiloxane for adsorption of Mo(VI) were investigated. These include the effect of pH, amount of polysiloxane, equilibrium time, adsorption isotherm, maximum adsorption capacity, interfering ions, flow rate, capacity for reuse, and desorption. The precision of the preconcentration method, calculated as the relative standard deviation of seawater samples, was 3%. The preconcentration factor was 100. The detection limit, defined as 3 times the standard deviation of five replicate measurements of the blank sample at pH 3, was 0.17 g L^–1. Measurement results for standard reference materials were in good agreement with the certified values [(CRMs), NASS-2 Seawater (Open Ocean) and CASS-2 Seawater (Coastal)].     

Evaluation of glycoalkaloids in tubers of genetically modified virus Y-resistant potato plants (var. Désirée) by non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (NACE–ESI–MS)

The glycoalkaloid content of transgenic potatoes was evaluated by an optimised method based on non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis coupled on-line with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (NACE-ESI-MS). The potato material consisted of tubers from a conventional cv. Désirée and from three lines of modified plants resistant, intermediate and susceptible to infection by potato virus Y (PVY). The main glycoalkaloids were confirmed to be alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine with parent ion masses m/z 852 and 868, respectively. In addition, an unknown minor peak at m/z 850.6 was found both in conventional (control) and susceptible line potato tubers. Such a compound exhibited an MS(2) spectrum with fragments ions at 704 and 396 m/z derived by loss of two ions, i.e. m/z 146 and 307, most likely corresponding to a rhamnose unit and a [glucose-(rhamnose)(2)] moiety, respectively. Up to 30-80-fold higher concentrations of total glycoalkaloids were found in the peel compared to flesh samples of all tubers examined. TGA content was nearly doubled in peel samples of resistant compared to control lines, and these levels were lower than the limit recommended for food safety, i.e. 20-60 mg of TGA per 100 g fresh weight. Moreover, it was established that tubers produced by virus-resistant clones are substantially equivalent in glycoalkaloid contents to those produced by conventional potato varieties.     

Interaction between sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate and the adriamycin semiquinone free radical: A possible mechanism for antagonizing adriamycin-induced cardiotoxity

Adriamycin (ADR) is a powerful and widely used antitumor drug, but its dose dependent cardiotoxicity limits its application. This side effect is believed to be caused by the adriamycin semiquinone free radical (ASFR). The primary focus of this work is to test effects of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) on ASFR and adriamycin–induced lipid peroxidation. It was found that ADR, whether in the system of heart homogenate, heart mitochondria or heart submitochondria, with NADH as the substrate or in xanthine/xanthine oxidase under anaerobic conditions, all produced ASFR rapidly. STS was shown to effectively scavenge ASFR in all these systems and postpone the appearance of ASFR. The delayed time was proportional to the amount of STS. Under aerobic conditions, ASFR could be oxidized to generate oxygen free radicals. STS could not scavenge these oxygen free radicals, but it could effectively scavenge lipid free radicals generated from membrane lipid peroxidation of heart mitochondria. STS could significantly reduce mitochondrial swelling and lipid peroxidation induced by ADR. Animal experiments show that treatment of STS could inhibit endogenous lipid peroxidation caused by ADR. Here, a protective mechanism of STS is suggested that STS can rapidly and univalently oxidize ASFR, causing the cycle of adriamycin between its quinone form and semiquinone form and inhibiting the accumulation of ASFR. Under aerobic condition, STS can protect heart mitochondria by scavenging lipid free radicals generated from adriamycin-induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. This investigation shows that STS may be a physiological drug to antagonize the cardiotoxicity of ADR.     

Determination of panaxadiol and panaxatriol in ginseng and its preparations by capillary supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC).

Capillary supercritical fluid chromatographic (SFC) method has been developed for the determination of panaxadiol and panaxatriol in ginseng and its preparations. 0.1 g ginseng or an appropriate amount of its preparations was hydrolysed by 15% H2SO4 in an ethanol:water (1:1 v/v) solution for 4 h followed by 15% NaOH for 0.5 h. The mixture was extracted by cyclohexane. The cyclohexane extracts were purified by a partition column and concentrated by an adsorption column and then analysed by SFC. Methyltestosterone was used as the internal standard.     

Dynamic equilibrium of ion exchange in the system lead-cation exchanger at different temperatures

Summary The relationship between the ion-exchange reaction in a column and temperature was examined in the system lead-ion exchanger resin Lewatit S 1080. Lead binding was performed with 0.01 mol/l HNO₃ and elution with 4.0 mol/l HCl. The working temperature was gradually increased from 273 to 333 K. Thermostat columns were of own construction. The results were statistically analysed and graphically presented and the parameters obtained for elution curves were related to temperature. The elution curves were found to be temperature specific. The parameters such as elution band width, distribution factor, maximal volume of the eluate, maximal lead concentration in the eluate, confirmed this fact. At higher temperatures, larger volumes of elution solution were required for the elution of the same quantity of lead.

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Ionenaustausch im System Blei-Kationischer Austauscher bei verschiedenen Temperaturen

     

Vapor pressure measurement for water,methanol, ethanol,and their binary mixtures in the presence of an ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate

Vapor pressure data were measured for water, methanol and ethanol as well as their binary mixtures with an ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate ([EMIM][DMP]) at varying temperature and IL-content ranging from mass fraction of 0.10–0.70 by a quasi-static method. The vapor pressure data for the IL-containing binary systems were correlated using NRTL equation with average absolute relative deviation (ARD) within 0.0076, and the binary NRTL parameters was used for predicting the vapor pressure of the IL-containing ternary systems with reasonable accuracy. In addition, the infinite activity coefficients of solvents in [EMIM][DMP] and isobaric vapor–liquid equilibrium for IL-containing ternary systems at 101.325 kPa and mass fraction of IL being 0.5 were predicted with the regressed NRTL parameters. The results indicate that ionic liquid [EMIM][DMP] can depress the volatility of the solvents of water, methanol and ethanol but to a varying degree, leading to the variation of relative volatility of a solvent and even removal of azeotrope for water–ethanol mixture.     

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Cellular Adhesion Tripeptide RGD Precursor in Organic Media

IntroductionA characteristic tripeptide sequence Arg-Gly-Asp(RGD) that is found within fibronectin and other rela-ted adhesion molecules in extracellular matrices(ECM)has received considerable attention from researcherssince it was proved to be a recognit…     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of spinel LiMn2O4 prepared by the rheological phase method

Pure-phase and well-crystallized spinel LiMn₂O₄ powders were successfully synthesized by a simple rheological phase method. The thermal behavior and structure properties of the powders prepared by the rheological phase method compared with the solid-state reaction were investigated by thermogravimetry, powder X-ray diffraction , scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. According to the results of the electrochemical tests, it is obvious that the sample resulting from the rheological phase method shows higher discharge capacity and better cycling stability than one formed in the solid-state reaction. The cyclic voltammogram and columbic efficiency curves also confirm that the product by the rheological phase method has a good cycling performance due to its fine cubic spinel structure and morphology.     

The effect of UV-irradiation on composting of polyethylene modified by cellulose

LDPE and its blend with cellulose, obtained by extrusion, were UV-irradiated with different doses or biodegraded in soil up to 1 year. Simultaneously, the same samples were 1 year biodegraded after 20 h UV pre-irradiation in the same conditions. The course of photo- and biodegradation was monitored by estimation of average molecular weights and polydispersity, gel amount, changes of PE crystallinity and mechanical properties. Moreover, the biodegradation degree was calculated on the basis of carbon dioxide evolved and surface morphological changes were observed by SEM. It was found that biodegradation of PE + cellulose is hampered by intermolecular crosslinking of both components. Although, the rate of decomposition of PE + cellulose blends is low it is enough for disintegration of such materials in the natural environment.